“Well, it sounds silly when you say it likethat. It was a good opportunity. Was I supposed to sell bossy rich people overpriced hot beverages for the rest of my life?”
“No.” That seemed like a waste of Lauren’s talents in fact. “I’m just…” But he was trying not to start a fight with her. His instinct was to argue, to point out how foolish such a choice had been, to demonstrate she was flighty and impulsive. But that was this jerk version of himself, the one who kept everyone at a distance. The one who was lonely now. “It’s not somethingIwould do.”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Nice save.”
“I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. Not be such a jerk.”
“It’s fine, you know. Don’t try to fight your own nature.”
He laughed. “No, it’s just… I’ve always had a plan. In high school, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. I studied biology and animal science in college, I went to vet school, I opened a practice. I did all the things I was supposed to do. I’m not… I don’t like spontaneity. This evening notwithstanding.”
They walked silently for a few minutes. Then Lauren said, “Ah, I see.”
Something in her tone rubbed him the wrong way. “What do you see?”
“That was why your divorce threw you for such a loop. You didn’t see it coming and it wasn’t part of the plan. You met your ex-wife in vet school, right? You got married after you graduated? That was all part of your plan. Your wife left you, and it threw a wrench in your plan.”
That was…quite astute, actually. But it also showed why he and Lauren would never work as a couple. He needed more stability in his life. She would uproot him on a regular basis.
“Well, now that you’ve assessed me psychologically, how was your day?” he asked.
“Fine. Busy. We had enough customers today to more than justify my desire to hire more people.”
“That’s good.”
“You? How was work, honey?”
Her tone was a little facetious, thehoneya joke, so he ignored it. “It was fine. A little stressful. This morning, I treated a lizard with a cold. Then I had some dog owners in this afternoon who werea lot.”
Lauren smiled. “You know, I don’t really like the termownerfor people who have pets. It implies the animals are objects instead of friends and companions.”
Oh, boy. Caleb didn’twantto argue, but that was pretty silly. “Are you one of these pet parent types who goes on about your fur babies? Because the couple who brought their dog in today kept saying that. I mean, no offense, I guess, but that always sounds weird to my ears.”
Lauren frowned, which indicated she’d probably called a cat a fur baby a time or two in her life. “I mean, I’m not so naive as to think taking care of a dog or a cat is the same as taking care of a human baby. Actually, I think cats are more like teenagers. You have to put out food and clean up after them, you try to keep them out of trouble, but otherwise, they basically get along on their own.”
“Sure.”
“But anyway, maybeparentis not the right word, either. I don’t know.Pet caretaker?”
“Makes the pet sound like an old house.”
Lauren sighed. “Butownerdoesn’t work. First of all, I’d argue cats really own us. They often just show up and move themselves in.Pet friend?”
Caleb laughed. “I don’t know.” He thought this whole argument was silly, but he was enjoying talking to Lauren.
They were nearing Borough Hall, which meant they’d have to make some choices about which direction to walk in if they were going to get dinner. “How do you feel about Vietnamese food?”
“I like it. Are you changing the subject to avoid picking a fight with me about how ridiculous I’m being?”
“A little. But basically, soon we’ll have to decide if we want Asian or Mexican food to the left or burgers or sandwiches to the right.”
“Vietnamese is fine. Have we…turned a new leaf?”
“You sound condescending, but I really am trying to not be a jerk. I’ll pick a fight with you if you really want, cat lady.”
“Well, let’s wait until we get to your place. No need to make a scene.”
***
